1. Financial and Business Planning Concepts Business owner perspectives

2. Thought Capital Life Cycle Stages 79% of business owners consider their firms to be growing or established (versus new, in transition or retrenching). Growing Business 56% in business less than 10 years. 43% have more than 50 employees. 60% believe employee benefits increases productivity. Established Business 83% in business more than 10 years. 67% have less than 10 employees. 34% believe employee benefits increases productivity.

3. #3 priority is health and wellness solutions, yet 45% don’t offer medical insurance. #4 priority is qualified retirement plans, yet 58% don’t offer any. #1 priority is business protection, yet 70% still need it. Thought Leadership Priorities Don’t Align with Action #2 priority is income protection, yet 74% still need it (up from 68% in 2012). But – 1 in 3 would recommend it. #5 priority is group benefits, yet 63% don’t offer any. Of those that offer coverage – disability, dental and life are the most popular. Take away? They need help taking action.

4. Thought Leadership A Few Key Differences Women business owners are more likely to: Prefer a team approach to running their business; 63% are run by multiple owners vs 43% for men. Have a one-generation firm (84% vs. 54%). Consider their business to be established (68% vs. 50%). Have funded their buy-sell agreement (93% vs. 85%). Not own personal life insurance (54% vs. 72%).

5. Thought Capital Business Planning … Not Top of Mind

6. Thought Capital This is what they think they will do… Yet…

7. Thought Capital Business Planning – Not Top of Mind Those that did …. 32% paid between $5,001 and $20,000. 8% paid $20,000+.

8. Thought Capital Top 5 Employee Benefit Concerns Top two goals for a benefits package: 1.Taking care of employees 2.Affordability

9. Thought Leadership What stops business owners from planning? 82% cite a reason that generates from human behavior of inaction. The other 18%? Think they can’t afford it.

10. Thank you Survey conducted by Harris Poll and included over 500 online interviews conducted in January 2015. Interviews were conducted using the Harris Poll Small Business Panel. Results were weighted for company sized based on number of employees, entity type and annual sales. Potential respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to patriciate in Harris Poll surveys. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For producer use only. Not intended for use in sales situations or with the general public. To see the full results of the survey, please click here.here DI9428  09/2015  ©2015 Principal Financial Services, Inc.